Brighton captain Bruno reveals why it's the right time for him to retire

The 38-year-old announced his decision earlier today and will play the final game of his career against title-chasing Manchester City at the Amex on Sunday.

Bruno has played 234 games for Albion since joining from Valencia in 2012. He previously played for Espanyol, Gimnastic (on loan), Lleida and Almeria.

He captained the Seagulls into the top flight in 2017 and asked about his decision, Bruno said: "Last night I took the decision to retire. I think it's a decision I took a few months ago but you have to process everything.

"I said already I wanted to let everyone know when the team was safe and sound in the Premier League. That was really important.

"It was a difficult decision but at the same time it was quite easy.

"This season is my 20th professional season. I'm really happy with the way I've played at all my clubs. It's been a great journey.

"I'm really thankful to all my family and friends and all the clubs especially here because they've helped me a lot through this period.

"I will always be in love with this club and this city, with the Brighton community.

"It's mixed feelings. I'm happy I took the decision at the right time and on my terms. That's really important for myself."

On why is the right time for him to call it a day, Bruno said: "There's so, so many things. I think this season I didn't play as many games as I wanted.

"All players want to play as many games as possible and I didn't get those games.

"You have more time to think but lately I've been playing. Maybe sometimes when you get the feeling of playing and we got some results and the feeling watching together the Cardiff game you can get confused about feelings.

"But I was really focused on my idea. We stayed in the Premier League mentally I'm ready to take the decision family-wise. It's the perfect timing.

"I've tried to enjoy every single day. I've been saying to my missus I'll retire but that was four years ago and every year she said 'no worries, no worries'.

"Every season has been really challenging and this year has been really tough.

"I've played 11 or 12 Premier League games plus cup games and I'm normally used to playing more games.

"To get used to that is really difficult. You need to be strong mentally.

"I'm really lucky because in tough times the key is to ask yourself 'why are you doing that?'.

"I've been asking myself and the answer is because it's my passion. You wake up the next day and you come back here and try to work even harder to get into the team and wait for your chance."

Bruno will run out in an Albion shirt for the final time against title-chasing Manchester City at the Amex, when his children will be mascots, and he said: "We're not thinking to stop City winning the title, we're thinking about winning the game. That's it because it's our job.

"We did the same last week against Arsenal. We were fighting just to be professionals and gave our best.

"We'll give our best on Sunday and try to get a result in front of our home fans, especially for myself to finish with a win would be really special."

Bruno was delighted with the reaction from his team-mates after he told them about his decision and said: "It was one of the best things, all the messages.

"Some of them I've been with them a long time, especially Dunky - we've been together seven years.

"To see the player he has become is unbelievable.

"The messages from him, Glenn, Dale, Anthony, he players who I've been together longer, they make me feel really happy.

"I'm a footballer player but a human being as well. On Monday I won't be a footballer anymore but a human being I will be all my life. To see that, it makes me feel really happy."

Asked is he has plans for the future, Bruno said: "Yes and no. I'm not going to rush. I'm really happy and thankful the club want me to stay.

"As you know it's a club which is growing really fast.

"They want me to stay around and we will talk after a little break. I'm so thankful and delighted.

"Brighton is my home and I want to stay."

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